Ralph Macchio

Actor, Director, Screenwriter

One of the leading heartthrobs of early 1980s-era Hollywood, Ralph Macchio was a contemporary Sal Mineo, faring best by playing New York street kids wavering between going bad or succeeding in life. He first gained ... Read more »

One of the leading heartthrobs of early 1980s-era Hollywood, Ralph Macchio was a contemporary Sal Mineo, faring best by playing New York street kids wavering between going bad or succeeding in life. He first gained stardom as the doomed Johnny Cade in the must-see teen classic, "The Outsiders" (1983) before reaching superstardom as the bullied but ultimately triumphant Daniel LaRussa in "The Karate Kid" (1984) and its two sequels. But like Michael J. Fox, he was hampered by a boyish look that belied his age, causing a career stall by the 1990s. Despite successes like "My Cousin Vinny" (1992), the former leading man-turned-supporting actor bowed out of Hollywood, choosing to raise his family far from the spotlight. So beloved was the actor, however, that whenever Macchio did return to the screen - sometimes in cameo roles as himself on shows like "Entourage" (HBO, 2004-11) - it was always cause for celebration, as Macchio's fan base remained devoted for well over two decades.

Made TV-movie debut in the CBS Afternoon Playhouse special "Journey to Survival"

TV-acting debut, as Jeremy Andretti on ABC series "Eight is Enough"

Made feature film debut in "Up the Academy"

Appeared in TV commercials from childhood

In June 2010, Macchio appeared in Funny or Die's online short "Wax on, F*ck off," in which his loved ones stage an intervention to turn the former child star from a well-adjusted family man into an addict besieged with tabloid scandal to help his career.